87R4252 KSD-F     By: Alvarado S.B. No. 1184       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Commission on Texas Workforce of the   Future.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter Z-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER Z-1.  COMMISSION ON TEXAS WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE          Sec. 29.951.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission"   means the Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future.          Sec. 29.952.  COMMISSION ON TEXAS WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE.   (a)  The Commission on Texas Workforce of the Future is established   to engage business, state agencies, and local workforce system   partners in the efforts of state and local authorities to build the   state's workforce talent pipeline.          (b)  The commission members shall provide reliable and   accurate data pertinent to college and career readiness,   industry-based workforce credentials, associate and bachelor's   degree programs, and high-demand industry jobs and careers.          (c)  The commission is composed of 17 members as follows:                (1)  five members appointed by the governor;                (2)  four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;                (3)  four members appointed by the speaker of the house   of representatives;                (4)  the commissioner of higher education or the   commissioner's designee;                (5)  a commissioner of the Texas Workforce Commission   appointed by the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, or the   commissioner's designee;                (6)  the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;   and                (7)  the chair of the Texas Economic Development   Corporation.          (d)  The members appointed by the governor must have an   interest in the future of the state's workforce. At least one of   the members appointed by the governor must be a member of a   statewide labor federation.  In appointing the members, the   governor shall consider appointing a business leader representing   each of the following industries:                (1)  oil and gas;                (2)  technology and manufacturing;                (3)  health care;                (4)  construction; and                (5)  petrochemicals.          (e)  The appointments made by the lieutenant governor must   include:                (1)  two members of the senate;                (2)  an administrator in a kindergarten through 12th   grade public school system or an elected member of the board of   trustees of a school district; and                (3)  the superintendent of an adult education program   provided under an adult high school diploma and industry   certification charter school program under Section 29.259, or the   superintendent's designee.          (f)  The appointments made by the speaker of the house of   representatives must include:                (1)  two members of the house of representatives;                (2)  a representative of a high school dropout recovery   adult education program serving students who are at least 18 years   of age and not older than 25 years of age or a public school   superintendent who oversees a high school dropout recovery adult   education program; and                (3)  an administrator of a public community or   technical college or a public university in this state.          (g)  In making appointments under Subsection (c), the   governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of   representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the members they   appoint reflect, to the extent possible, the ethnic and geographic   diversity of this state.          Sec. 29.953.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall   designate the presiding officer of the commission. The presiding   officer must be a business executive.          Sec. 29.954.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of   the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the   commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and   necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.          Sec. 29.955.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a)     Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative support   for the commission.          (b)  Funding for the administrative and operational expenses   of the commission shall be provided by appropriation to the agency.          Sec. 29.956.  RECOMMENDATIONS. (a)  The commission shall   develop recommendations under this subchapter to address issues   related to workforce development and the future of the state's   workforce, including:                (1)  strengthening and supporting industry-led   public-private partnerships that connect people with careers and   match employers with skilled talent;                (2)  improving regional coordination and alignment   between industry, the public workforce system, public schools,   higher education institutions, and community-based organizations   to create college and career pathways that lead to good jobs;                (3)  attracting, educating, developing, and placing   workers in high-demand industry sectors;                (4)  addressing the current and future skills gap   across the state economy and identifying statewide initiatives to   enhance cross-sector collaboration, communication, and alignment;                (5)  identifying incentives to encourage cooperation   between sectors that fosters innovative approaches to meet the   current and future workforce demands;                (6)  increasing the number of work-based learning   opportunities in this state and the availability of those   opportunities, including for persons experiencing barriers to   employment and who are historically underrepresented in   high-growth, high-wage industries, including in small and midsize   companies;                (7)  developing a comprehensive plan for phasing in,   beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, an expansion of the adult   high school diploma and industry certification charter school   program under Section 29.259 as a strategy for meeting industry   needs for a sufficiently trained workforce within this state; and                (8)  recommending statutory changes to the laws   governing the public workforce system, public education, and higher   education to enhance career path options and ensure long-term   collaboration with industry.          (b)  The commission shall establish one or more work groups   composed of not more than five members of the commission to study,   discuss, and address specific policy issues and recommendations to   refer to the commission for consideration.  In establishing a work   group under this subsection, the commission shall ensure that the   membership of the work group includes at least two representatives   from the business community.          Sec. 29.957.  REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2022, the   commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and   the legislature that includes recommendations for statutory and   regulatory changes to enhance workforce development and   coordination and alignment between industry, public education, and   higher education, including any adjustments to college and career   pathway programs.          Sec. 29.958.  PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a)     The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill the   commission's duties under this subchapter.          (b)  The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,   Government Code.          Sec. 29.959.  COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF   SUBCHAPTER. The commission is abolished and this subchapter   expires January 12, 2023.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.